Man beat potentially pregnant partner about stomach with toilet roll holder

Scott McElwee, 24, is also accused of hitting the woman with a metal vacuum cleaning pole during a series of attacks.

Prosecutors claimed she managed to escape and then passed out as her grandmother drove her to hospital.

McIlwee, of Tamlough Park in Limavady, denies charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, false imprisonment, common assault, threats to kill and to damage property.

He is accused of subjecting the woman to violence at an address on five separate dates between December last year and April 24.

During a bail application Crown lawyer Fiona O’Kane said one incident allegedly involved punching, kicking and choking her in a bedroom, dragging her back upstairs after she tried to escape.

At one stage the woman rolled up into a ball as the assault continued, it was claimed.

Setting out the prosecution case, Mrs O’Kane contended that McElwee lifted a toilet roll holder to strike his partner about the body.

“She believed there was a possibility that she was pregnant at the time, and the applicant was aware of this, but beat her around the stomach,” the barrister said.

During the alleged attack he threatened to kill her and to burn her grandmother’s house, the court heard.

According to Mrs O’Kane the woman sent texts seeking help and eventually managed to flee to where her grandmother was waiting.

“She told her to drive quickly, she was extremely distressed and passed out in the back of the car on the way to hospital,” counsel added.

Her injuries were said to include two black eyes, as well as cuts to her nose and lips. Hospital staff also gave her splints for both wrists.

Defence barrister Sean Doherty argued that McIlwee was only in a relationship with the alleged victim for a period of weeks.

He claimed the woman could have left the property at any stage, and that she took part in a drugs binge.

“She found out the applicant has been involved in a relationship with another female, and as a consequence this account which we say is false has been given to police,” Mr Dohery submitted.

Refusing bail, however, Mr Justice Rooney cited the possible risk of re-offending and interference with witnesses.